Reports are rife with speculation that new Arsenal boss Unai Emery is plotting a mass offload of fringe players.
Those said to be nearing the exit from the Emirates include Danny Welbeck, David Ospina and Nacho Monreal, who all featured in the World Cup in Russia this year.
Other players who aren’t in Emery’s plans for the season include Carl Jenkinson and Lucas Perez, who rarely featured in the first team under Wenger. Keeper Petr Cech has been linked with a move back to his former side Chelsea, as the Blues prepare to sell Courtois to Real Madrid.
Mustafi is another player set to be edged out of the Arsenal squad, as his inconsistent performances led to disillusionment amongst the Gunners faithful. Arsenal recently completed the signing of Greek centre back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, widely regarded as Mustafi’s replacement, freeing up the German to seek pastures new.
Emery has added 5 players to his first team squad already, including Lucas Torreira and Bernd Leno, spending a great deal of his transfer budget which was rumored to be between £50-70 million. However the boss is hoping that by clearing the deadwood in his squad, he can invest in a further two signings.
Former Stoke midfielder and World Cup winner Steven N’Zonzi is top of Emery’s list, with Arsenal expected to complete the transfer before the deadline in three weeks. Emery worked with the Frenchman at Sevilla, and believes he can add some much needed quality to Arsenal’s midfield. Emery has also requested the signing of a winger in recent board meetings, with Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele rumoured to be the main target.
Arsenal face Atletico Madrid, PSG and Chelsea in the International Champions Cup next week, with many of Emery’s new signings expected to be in action. The Spaniard will be hoping he can get his remaining transfer business done in time for the highly anticipated Premier League curtain raiser against Manchester City on the 12th of August.
Written by Calum Ridgewell.
